Zeraphiel Veyncrow — The Crimson Forge

Ability Scores

Core Stats

Proficiencies

Lore Description

Zeraphiel is the most infamous weaponsmither of Azir’Mar, a tiefling whose name is whispered in the courts of Drow matrons and assassins alike. He forges weapons that are not merely blades, but living extensions of their wielder’s soul — at a terrible price. His piercings and jewelry are talismans of both beauty and bondage, often infused with subtle curses.

• Personality: Cold, calculated, solemn; a wounded conscience hidden under iron discipline. Disdains weakness — especially in those he once admired.
• Weird Hobby: Collects teeth and carves them into rune‑beads for hilts and piercings. “Each bead remembers its owner’s last pain.”
• Social Role: Revered and feared. Nobles owe him favors; assassins owe him secrets; priestesses step carefully around him.

Features

• Infernal Legacy (Tiefling): Thaumaturgy; Hellish Rebuke (2nd‑level); Darkness (1/day).
• Master Weaponsmither: Advantage on crafting magical arms/armor. Any blade he crafts counts as magical for overcoming resistance.
• Piercing Curse: Jewelry he forges may carry hidden enchantments. One worn item (DM’s choice) can impose disadvantage on Wisdom saves until removed.
• Runeblade Forgemaster (Recharge 5–6): Once per short rest, empower a weapon within 30 ft. for 1 minute; it deals +2d6 fire or necrotic damage.

Combat Actions

• Multiattack. Zeraphiel makes two attacks with his Runeforged Longsword.
• Runeforged Longsword +2. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d8 + 6 slashing + 2d8 fire.
• Infernal Bolt. Ranged Spell Attack: +9 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 4d10 fire or necrotic.
• Hellish Rebuke. (2nd‑level, 1/day) 3d10 fire; Dex save DC 16 halves.

Legendary Actions (Optional)

If used as a boss, Zeraphiel can take 2 legendary actions per round, choosing from below at the end of another creature’s turn.

• Forge Spark. One creature within 30 ft. makes a DC 16 Con save or takes 1d8 fire damage and is blinded until the start of its next turn.
• Whispering Blade. As a reaction, curse a weapon in sight; until the end of its wielder’s next turn, it deals 1d6 psychic damage to its wielder after each attack.

Roleplaying Notes

• Speaks like a judge: every word deliberate and final.
• Avoids Selvara (Malrik’s sister); he knew her before Avernus and cannot bear her fall into indulgence.
• Tolerates Kaelthas’ irreverence because it camouflages darker dealings.
• Closest to Malrik through shared necessity rather than affection.